Lapping my E6600

[CanadaRox]

Since I will be putting my CPU under some DI next week, I figured I might as well lap it. So I went to Canadian Tire and got some sandpaper. Grits: 220, 400, 600, 1500. I had planned to get 220, 400, 800, 1000 but that's the closest the Pickering store carried. So I was off. So here are some pictures of the lapping process:

Unlapped IHS:




These shots are about 2/3 way through 220 grit. You can see how concave the IHS was.



Next comes 400 grit. Top of the IHS is now all copper



I forgot to take pictures after 600, but it looked pretty much the same as 400. But here are the final results.




The second last picture looks extreme rough, but it is actually quite smooth.


Unfortunately I'm only running my CPU @ 3GHz (9*333) so the change in temperature isn't as much as it would have actually been had I been running my usual 3.7GHz. But here are the results:

Before lapping:
Idle: 35C
Load: 43C

After lapping
Idle: 32C
Load 41C

Also, I didn't reapply the thermal paste (I'll be putting this under DI on Wednesday, so I didn't feel like wasting any). I just left the paste on the waterblock, and I checked after it was mounted, and it spread decently. I would expect at least another degree or two with properly applied paste. I will also have to take the o-ring out of my D-Tek Fuzion to get rid of the slightly convex base. That might give another degree or two as well.

In the end, I'm glad I did it even if the results weren't anything to write home about, even if its just to say that I have lapped my processor.

[sswilson]

A 2c difference is nothing to sneeze at considering some folks will shell out extra money for a cooler/WB/or fan that only provides that much of a benefit.

All these folks here lapping their procs have got me itching to do it too!!! :)

[1Tanker]

I agree with sswilson.. cheap improvement in temps. Good job.

[MacJunky]

Originally Posted by sswilson

All these folks here lapping their procs have got me itching to do it too!!! :)

You are not the only one. I think I might just have to head down to the local PC shop for some new thermal compound myself so I can lap my E1200 and HSF.

*shakes fist at HWC members who have lapped their CPUs recently* Bastards infected me!.

[Cptn Vortex]

Hell, I lapped my Maximus southbridge cooler. Does that make me weird?

[CasheKicker]

SSWilson

I can even offer you the cheapest method possible. I already have lots of sand paper at the house. I could bring you some in to work...

Imagine FREE temperature improvement....Now how can you refuse that?

[frosty]

so the smoother the better or the shinnyer (if thats a word) the better.... I used to polish wheel covers at work when I worked in the Polish Room...... this stuff is redally avaliable to me without cost..... but is it just a matter of being smooth and flat? Guess I could give it a chrome polish finish.... exactly like a mirror......

[sswilson]

Flat is a lot more important than shiny when it comes to lapping.

[1Tanker]

Originally Posted by sswilson

Flat is a lot more important than shiny when it comes to lapping.

Yeah... i never "polish" when i lap..i just go for flat and smooth. Noboby sees how shiny it is with the HS/F on anyway.

[Eldonko]

GJ man. FYI you can get finer paper at autoparts stores, up to 2000 grit.